More Than Meets The Eye
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I am a geek (this is not news to any longterm readers of this blog). I have always been a geek. Way back when the other sixth grade girls were rushing home to watch whatever it was they watched after school, or practice with their round brushes and eyeshadow, I was on a completely different planet. Several different planets, actually: Spectra, Eternia, Arus, and an Earth populated with giant robots masquerading as various modes of transportation. I don't really have much of a grasp of the "girly" cartoons of the 70s and 80s; my experience of the cartoon marketing of that era was on the boy end. I had no interest in the toys, but I loved the shows. He Man, Transformers, Voltron, GI Joe, I watched them all.
I saw both He Man movies in the theatre--the cartoon and the live action. I saw The Transformers movie, too. So, it's really no surprise that when faced with an unexpected night sans Ladies, on the same night as the sneak preview of Transformers, I took it as a sign and took myself out to the movies.
It was awesome. Everything Spiderman 3 wasn't.
Walking in, I was thinking, "Giant Robots and Josh Duhamel; not a bad way to spend an evening." Walking out, I was thinking that that was an understatement. This is the best movie I've seen in a long time. It's going to be a monster hit, and not just because geeks everywhere are jonesing over the CGI. The fact is, this movie is good.
First off, it's got a good, solid story. The plot isn't too complicated or outrageous, but there is one. It sets up its own reality, and then it sticks to it. The characters are likeable, engaging, and realistic. And the female lead was not some hapless token chick, a huge yet welcome surprise.
Which bring us to another surprise: the acting. There are no false tones here--no sense of miscasting or that the actors have less than the utmost respect for the story they are telling. I went in thinking about Josh Duhamel, but came out a huge fan of Shia LaBeouf. Louis Stevens can act! Even Megan Fox, who was clearly cast on the basis of her looks, holds her own.
And then there's the Transformers themselves. You know how sometimes the CGI just sort of misses the mark? Like when Spiderman looks more like one of those squishy rubber guys that grow in water than like a real person? None of that there. The robots are totally realistic. I know. I know how that sounds, that the giant robot made out of a semi-truck looks real, but they do. And Michael Bay gives us plenty of opportunity to make that call. Unlike some effects heavy movies, where the CGI sequences are filmed in such a way as to disguise what's going on (I'm looking at you again, Spiderman), in Transformers the effects are given equal screentime with the real elements. And they hold up beautifully.
And yet, my only real quibble with the movies centres on the Autobots and Decepticons. I enjoyed Bumblebee as much as the next person, but I was rather disappointed in the use of Optimus Prime. Prime is the heart of the Autobots, and while he certainly had a role to play in this movie, I don't think it was quite as strong as it could have been. On the evil side of things, I never did get a real sense of the characters, other than the evil that microbot who wasn't really anything at all. That thing had a plum role, while Starscream and the rest of the crew simply made cameo appearances. That was a bit disappointing, but forgivable in the grand scheme of things, for one reason only: no one right now does big, edge of your seat action like Michael Bay. The pacing of this movie is phenomenal. The action sequences are breathtaking, the suspense sequences have you holding it, and threaded throughout it all are moments of laugh out loud funny.
Even if you aren't a geek, you'll like Transformers. And if you are? It will clear that bad taste from Spiderman 3 right out of your mouth. Plus, I now have high hopes for the Voltron movie. Yes, they're making a Voltron movie! I can hardly wait!
Comments
A Voltron movie??!?!!!! Squeeeee!
Is it wrong that I had a crush on the red Voltron guy?
Wow, and here I was just assuming that Transformers would suck. Mostly because of the director. But I'll take your word for it and check it out.
"The Transformers are a gift from God."
-Clerks II
I have to agree with being a geek. I did the same thing and now my 13yr old daughter is proudly a geek also. I can't wait to see Transformers! I love techy stuff and science fiction.
Yes. Yes it is wrong that you have a crush on the Red Guy. He's MY boyfriend.
Hmm, really? I confess that to me, the Transformers will always be that show my baby brother was really into. But I do like a good, geeky action flick, and I am having a solo weekend this weekend. I'll have to check it out!
A Voltron movie!!! Cool!!! I loved me some Voltron (when they were cats not the later version). By the way you listed all my favorite cartoons too!!! Whenever I hear someone say "now we know" I usually end up responding "and knowing is half the battle...GI Joe).
Btw, Transformers isn't supposed to have that much CGI in it. Michael Bay is apparently one the experts in live action and most of the stunts, explosions, etc were done live not on computer.
Well, yes, of course the Lions. All other incarnations are stupid.
I know the stunts are real, but the Transformers themselves, much though I'd like to believe they are real, are CGI. Brilliantly done CGI. I particularly loved how Prime went from being shiny new to having scratches after tangling with the Decpeticons.
Hey Kim! I didn't think Transformers was going to be my kind of movie (I'm more of a chick flick kind of girl), but I loved it as well! Nice review! :)
